This came after Hasanah, 61, was arrested at about 4.15pm on August 29 after she was called to the MACC headquarters to have her statement recorded.

The disclosure of information to the media, the lawyers had said in a statement today, was prejudicial to their client.

Investigators took Hasanah into custody to assist in probes into the RM49 million allegedly siphoned from the government coffers.

She is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power for gratification.

The statement issued by Hasanah’s lawyers Azam Aziz Shaharudinali & Co said while it understood the “reasons” given by the MACC investigating officers and respected them, the firm stated they was surprised by the announcement made by the MACC to the media about the US$6.3 million seized from the Middle East and its alleged connection to their client.

Earlier today at a press conference in Putrajaya, the MACC said it seized a total of US$6.3 million in US currency from various locations nationwide while investigating the MEIO for allegedly misappropriating election funds.

The statement said as of today, Hasanah and seven other people, who are currently in remand, had not been charged with any offence in court.

They said during the hearing of the remand by the MACC against their client, they had been denied access to any information pertaining to the MACC investigation of their client on the grounds that if they were given such information, it would interfere with the process of investigation, which may result in interference with other witnesses or cause any evidence of the case to be destroyed.